Our ancestors expelled colonial rulers in 1947 after great struggle and sacrifices so that people could freely live in peace in line with Islamic values of freedom, equality and justice, but oppressors rule through their proxies, the corrupt ruling elite. We must break all the shackles of slavery, regain independence and dignity! We have enormous potentials,reject plunderers and support competent and honest leadership. Freedom is Priceless

And whoso slays a believer intentionally, his reward shall be Hell wherein he shall abide. And ALLAH shall be wroth with him and shall curse him and shall prepare for him a great punishment.(Quran;4:93)

And whoso slays a believer intentionally, his reward shall be Hell wherein he shall abide. And ALLAH shall be wroth with him and shall curse him and shall prepare for him a great punishment.(Quran;4:93)

Junaid Jamshaid was a top pop star, 17 years ago at the peak of his career he left the glamorous world of music to become an evangelic Tablighi Islamic preacher. Recently in a TV show while emphasizing the different nature of women he quoted two Hadiths, one related with the Mother of Believers Hazrat Aisha [may Allah be pleased with her]. During the narration he was casual, not using appropriate words as is expected from a Muslim. Lack of suitable words for the most dignified and honorable wife of the Prophet (pbuh) hurt the feelings of Muslims.

In the video, he appears to make negative remarks about Hazrat Aisha [may Allah be pleased with her], the youngest wife of Islam’s Prophet, to make a broader point about women’s alleged inherent flaw of seeking attention. The video quickly went viral over the weekend and led to the police case. Such lapse is not expected form a preacher like him. He has realized his mistake and seeks forgiveness from Allah and fellow Muslims.

Jamshed, released a video on Facebook in which he admitted he had erred and pleaded emotionally for forgiveness. “This is my mistake and it happened because of my ignorance and lack of knowledge and I seek forgiveness from the Muslim world,” he said. “I request my brothers to forgive me and I am thankful to them for pointing out my mistake, it happened unintentionally and I seek forgiveness from Allah.”

Some opponents say, Jamshed’s apology was irrelevant. “How can we pardon a person who has committed blasphemy? Junaid’s apology must be examined by prominent religious scholars, who will then determine how the issue can be sorted within the parameters of Islam.” But Mufti Naeam opines that after apology, the chapter should close. [http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2bnblm_mufti-naeem-about-junaid-jamshed-clarification_news ]

It may be kept in view that this was not deliberate blasphemy like Salman Rushdi who planned such blasphemy and persist. People like Salman Rushdi should be punished according to Sharia law, however pious preacher like Junaid Jamshed deserve considerations by scholars due to ignorance, acceptance of error and repentance.

The story of slander is narrated by Hadrat Aisha (R.A) in this Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 5.462.

http://www.questionsonislam.com/article/incident-ifk

The emphasis by Quran is on restraint and forgiveness :

Researchers have identified more than fifty-seven verses having a direct bearing on the subject and more than 250 others which emphasize forgiveness, forbearance and compassion, here are some: [http://corpus.quran.com/search.jsp?q=forgive ]

"When ye hear the signs of Allah held in defiance and ridicule, ye are not to sit with them unless they turn to a different theme." [Qur'an 4:140]

"And when they hear vain talk, they turn away therefrom and say: "to us our deeds and to you yours; peace be to you." [Qur'an 28: 55]

"Hold to forgiveness, command what is right; but turn away from the ignorant." [Qur'an 7:199]

"Have patience with what they say, and leaves them with noble (dignity)." [Qur'an 73:10]

"And the servants of Allah . . . are those who walked on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say 'Peace'" [Qur'an 25:63]

"Allah is with those who restrain themselves." [Qur'an 16: 128]

"Believers, be steadfast for the sake of Allah in pursuing justice and let not the enmity of a nation dissuade you from being fair; be fair, that is the closest to piety. And fear Allah; indeed Allah knows what you do" [Qur'an; 5:8]

". . . But they uttered blasphemy . . . if they repent, it will be best for them, but if they turn back, Allah will punish them." [Qur'an 9:47]

"Listen, good behaviour can't be the same as the bad one. So repel (bad behaviour) with an attitude that is good, and what you will find is that, as a result, the one with whom you had enmity has become your bosom friend. And this (behaviour) can't emerge from anyone except those who are patient; and this (behaviour) can't emerge from anyone except those who are most fortunate. And if Satan whispers into your heart (something to dissuade from it) then seek refuge in God; indeed He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing."[Qur'an; 41:34-36]

The Qur'an set strict limits on punishment for crime.

"And if you punished, let your punishment be proportionate to the wrong that has been done to you; but if you show patience, that is indeed the best course. [Qur'an 16:126]

"The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto: but if a person forgets and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah." [Qur'an 62:40]

"Twice will they be given their reward, for that they have persevered, (and) they avert evil with good." [Qur'an 28:54]

Treat Women with Extra Care:

The two Hadiths discussed are as follows:

Abu Huraira [ ra ] narrated that the Prophet [ saw ] said: “The woman was created from a rib. She will not be straight according to your way. If you want to enjoy her, you will have to enjoy her with her twist [crookedness ]and if you try to straighten her, you would break her: and breaking her is divorcing her:

The point is that a woman thinks and behaves differently than a man - it's in her nature. So the Prophet is telling men to not try to change her inherent nature, but to understand the differences and enjoy her as she is. The husband should respect her unique feminine nature and accept her the way Allah made her, complete with the “crookedness” that means that she will not be as he wishes in some aspects. If he insists on straightening her and molding her to “his” wishes, it will be like trying to straighten a bent rib: it will break in his hands, and the breaking of a woman is divorce.

`Aisha, (complaining of headache) said, "Oh, my head"! Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "I wish that had happened while I was still living, for then I would ask Allah's Forgiveness for you and invoke Allah for you." Aisha said, "Wa thuklayah! By Allah, I think you want me to die; and If this should happen, you would spend the last part of the day sleeping with one of your wives!" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Nay, I should say, 'Oh my head!' I felt like sending for Abu Bakr and his son, and appoint him as my successor lest some people claimed something or some others wished something, but then I said (to myself), 'Allah would not allow it to be otherwise, and the Muslims would prevent it to be otherwise".

http://quranx.com/Hadith/bukhari/Book-75/Hadith-27/

Prophet (saw) is “Rehmat-ul-LilAlimeen” and he (saw) didn't kill that old lady who used to throw garbage upon him. No, but he (saw) treated her very well and thus she accepted Islam.

Sahih Muslim, Book 031, Number 6082: Abu Huraira reported: I invited my mother, who was a polytlieist, to Islam. I invited her one day and she said to me something about Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) which I hated. I came to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) weeping and said: Allah's Messenger, I invited my mother to Islam but she did not accept (my invitation). I invited her today but she said to me something which I did not like. (Kindly) supplicate Allah that He may set the mother of Abu Huraira right. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: O Allah, set the mother of Abu Huraira on the right path. I came out quite pleased with the supplication of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) and when I came near the door it was closed from within. My mother heard the noise of my footsteps and she said: Abu Huraira, just wait, and I heard the noiee of falling of water. She took a bath and put on the shirt and quickly covered her head with a headdress and opened the door and then said: Abu Huraira, I bear witness to the fact that there is no god but Allah and Mubammad is His bondsman and His Messenger. He (Abu Huraira) said: I went back to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and (this time) I was shedding the tears of joy. I said: Allah's Messenger, be happy, for Allah has responded to your supplication and He has set on the right path the mother of Abu Huraira.

Is this proven “Sunnah” of Prophet of mercy (saw) is not enough for our emotional brothers to stop spilling the blood upon small things and they should show patience and do “Dua” to Allah to show guidance to the people?

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 454: Narrated 'Aisha: That she asked the Prophet , 'Have you encountered a day harder than the day of the battle) of Uhud?" The Prophet replied, "Your tribes have troubled me a lot, and the worse trouble was the trouble on the day of 'Aqaba when I presented myself to Ibn 'Abd-Yalail bin 'Abd-Kulal and he did not respond to my demand. So I departed, overwhelmed with excessive sorrow, and proceeded on, and could not relax till I found myself at Qarnath-Tha-alib where I lifted my head towards the sky to see a cloud shading me unexpectedly. I looked up and saw Gabriel in it. He called me saying, 'Allah has heard your people's saying to you, and what they have replied back to you, Allah has sent the Angel of the Mountains to you so that you may order him to do whatever you wish to these people.' The Angel of the Mountains called and greeted me, and then said, "O Muhammad! Order what you wish. If you like, I will let Al-Akh-Shabain (i.e. two mountains) fall on them." The Prophet said, "No but I hope that Allah will let them beget children who will worship Allah Alone, and will worship None besides Him."

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 49, Number 856:

Narrated Anas: It was said to the Prophet "Would that you see Abdullah bin Ubai." So, the Prophet went to him, riding a donkey, and the Muslims accompanied him, walking on salty barren land. When the Prophet reached 'Abdullah bin Ubai, the latter said, "Keep away from me! By Allah, the bad smell of your donkey has harmed me." On that an Ansari man said (to 'Abdullah), "By Allah! The smell of the donkey of Allah's Apostle is better than your smell." On that a man from 'Abdullah's tribe got angry for 'Abdullah's sake, and the two men abused each other which caused the friends of the two men to get angry, and the two groups started fighting with sticks, shoes and hands. We were informed that the following Divine Verse was revealed (in this concern):-- "And if two groups of Believers fall to fighting then, make peace between them." (49.9)

'Abdullah Ibn Ubbayy used direct insulting words for Prophet (saw), but still he (saw) didn't order to kill him due to blasphemy. Also Quran was revealed at that moment, but not about killing him on charge of blasphemy, but for making peace between 2 fighting Muslim groups.

Masruq related from 'Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The blood of a Muslim man who testifies that there is no god but Allah and I am the Messenger of Allah is not lawful except in three cases: a life for a life, someone who has been married who then commits fornication, and the one who leaves his deen and leaves the Community." This same tradition is reported in Sahih Muslim, Abu Dawud, Musnad Ahmad etc. by different Sahaba like Hadhrat 'Aisha, 'Abdullah Ibn Masood, 'Uthman Ibn Affan.

Those who argue for death penalty of Blasphemy of Prophet (pbuh) quote:

1. The Propeht (pbuh) ordered the execution of Kaab bin Ashraf and abu Rafay as both were guilty of Blasphemy. This special operation was carried out by Ansari Sahaba (R.A)

2. During the conquest of Makkah everybody was forgiven but there was a black list. The list contained names of people who were to be executed even if they wrap themselves around the cloth of Al-Kaabah. The criminals with names on this list were all guilty of blasphemy.

3. Even during the time when Prophet (pbuh) was in this world, seeking permission to execute the person guilty of blasphemy was not required as evident from two separate incidents involving blind Sahaba (R.A)

Following aspects need considerations by the scholars:

Kaab bin Ashraf, a mixed Arab-Jew, enemy of Muslims, who entered in to secret pact with Abu Sufyan, [head of Quresh of Makkah] against Muslims, also a anti Muslim poet, was ordered to be killed by The Prophet (pbuh) most on political and military reasons, cannot be termed as only accused of blasphemy [see www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P8EmMQ98qE ]. The blasphemers [of ahlel bayt, Ifk] were punished 80 lashes for slandering Syedah Ayesha (R.A) with grant of forgiveness (Quran;24:22). Can the specific one time instructions for specific people [Kaab], over rule the policy derived form the Quranic verses mentioned above?

Can under prevalent environment of FITNAH, FISAD, extremism, violence and sectarianism; individuals be given free hand to execute any one on pretext of blasphemy?

While keeping in view the public sentiments of Muslims, in a Muslim state people cannot be allowed to openly commit blasphemy on the pretext of free speech hence there is need of law to punish such blasphemers. However trying to link such law with holy texts, not supported by many scholars need cautious approach, and consensus. Every country has laws according to the sentiments of people which may not be liked by others, in most European countries there is Anti-Semitics law, which is against free speech but its there. Hence any objection to Anti blasphemy law may be disregarded but the punishment be according to the crime, on case to case basis. Implementation of law be fair, meeting all requirements of justice and fair trial. Any one misusing this law, for settling personnel disputes be also swearly punished.

Muftis and Uleema be restrained to issue edicts/fatwas in such cases, its the job of courts to dispense justice via fair trial. Mob justice and lynching must be dealt with swearly. [Allah knows best]